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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/5512
Title: | Mobility and economic feasibility of the Greenland Inland Traverse (GrIT) |
Authors: | Lever, J. H. Weale, Jason C. |
Keywords: | EPOLAR Ice sheets--Greenland Ice caps Sleds Military bases--Equipment and supplies |
Publisher: | Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
Series/Report no.: | ERDC/CRREL ; TR-11-9. |
Abstract: | The mobility and economic feasibility of resupplying Summit Camp on the Greenland ice cap from Thule AFB via a 1410-mile (round trip) overland traverse was examined following safe and successful implementation of the Greenland Inland Traverse (GrIT) proof-of-concept in 2008. The mobility and economic assessments focused on delivery capabilities for a tractor fleet consisting of two prime movers and one fleet-support vehicle and its economics compared with re-supply by LC-130 aircraft. The mobility feasibility was based on tractor drawbar and sled resistance measurements collected during the GrIT08 proof-of-concept. Sled resistance measurements indicate GrIT will recover its capital investment and operating costs with a mobility performance of eight 3000-gal. fuel bladders towed per prime mover given a 20% increase in LC-130 hourly costs. This mobility level is likely, provided GrIT systematically improves bladder-sled performance (currently six bladders per prime mover) through incremental improvements like the use of black fuel bladders and black HMW-PE sleds. As argued in our previous work, an overland traverse represents an economic buffer against unconstrained and likely LC-130 SAAM hourly rate increases. It is recommended that GrIT acquire two prime movers with 36-in. wide tracks (70,000 lb each with a drawbar pull of 21,000 lb) and a lighter-weight fleet-support vehicle with 4100 lb of drawbar pull. Loads should be shuttled up the 60-mile transition onto the main ice sheet to eliminate frustrating and time-consuming immobilizations caused by weak snow and steep grades. Additional improvements, such as the development of a lightweight cargo sled, a snow-properties database, and fleet performance analysis tools should be developed in partnership with the South Pole Traverse (SPoT). |
Description: | Technical Report |
Gov't Doc #: | ERDC/CRREL TR-11-9 |
Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/5512 |
Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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CRREL-TR-11-9.pdf | 888.72 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |